He’ll get his fair share of chances to make plays as a running back and outside linebacker. But that is a contrast to Johnson’s past offensive responsibilities as he is Pisgah’s top returning receiver (40 catches for 430 yards and five touchdowns in 2013).

“The (position change) on offense is not something I’m really worried about. It’s not that big a deal,” Johnson said.

“Wherever I’m at, I feel like I need to be a really good leader. I need to help the younger guys and show them what to do, so they can step up.”

The Black Bears were literally within inches of a conference championship in coach Brett Chappell’s first season — a 20-yard field goal sailed wide as time expired in last October’s 14-13 loss at Franklin.

“We feel good about where we’re at, and we hope to be in the mix again when it comes to the end of the season,” Chappell said.

“The guys we have are familiar with what we do and we’re going to try and cater to their strengths. Many of our starters are going to go both ways (offense and defense), so we’re asking a lot of them.”

Pisgah expects to field a varsity roster with about 40 varsity players and nearly 60 have come out for the junior-varsity program.

Besides Hall and Johnson on offense, the group’s returning starters are receiver Jesse Martinez (33 receptions for 536 yards and four touchdowns) and lineman Jacob Boyd.

Up front, Chappell said he is hoping that the line will develop some chemistry as Boyd intermingles with juniors David Mackey, Drayton Kirkpatrick, Ben Wright and John Albritton.

On the defensive side of things, Boyd, Hall, Johnson and linebacker Colton Shuler are returning starters.

“We’re a young team, but I don’t expect us to take a step back,” Hall said.

“I’m pretty happy with what I’ve seen out of everyone so far.”

Pisgah opens its season Aug. 22 at home against North Buncombe and arguably the two biggest WNCAC games on the Black Bears’ schedule are at home – a matchup with defending WNCAC champ Franklin on Oct. 3 and then an Oct. 17 date with Tuscola.

Chappell will return to East Henderson for the first time since resigning as that WNCAC school’s coach on Sept. 26.

Did you know? Former Pisgah head coach David Pressley has returned to the sidelines as an offensive line coach. Pressley has remained the Black Bears’ athletic director since his resignation in 2012. Pressley won 106 games in 12 seasons.